North News October 21, 2024
Where Tradition began, Excellence continues.
Shawnee Mission North High School
Office Hours 7AM - 3:30PM
913-993-6900
Attendance Hotline (24 hours)
913-993-6945
Website: https://smnorth.smsd.org/
Location: 7401 Johnson Drive, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: 913-993-6900
Twitter: @SM_NORTH_HS
Building Mission, Commitments, and Goals
Building Mission, Commitments, and Goals
Our building mission, commitments, and goals are at the forefront of all that we do in our building. As we get further into the school year, we will provide updates on our data on our goals.
Instructions in Spanish
Calendar
November
1- No School - Professional Learning
25 -No School Professional Learning
24-29 - Thanksgiving Break Schools/Offices Closed
Message from Principal David Ewers
North Community,
We have a full week of school this week and we are excited for the week ahead. We have the Hispanic Heritage Program on Tuesday and a multitude of athletic and activity events during the week! We are hosting our first Community Conversations at the Brickhouse on Wednesday night, and we would love to see a good crowd there! Let’s have a great week and Go Bison!
Staff Member of the Week
Staff Member of the Week: Chris Palmer
Mr. Palmer’s nominating individual wrote: He is one of the most hard-working people in our building. He lives primarily behind-the-scenes to make sure everybody else shines. And he really tries to do the right thing, in every scenario I have seen.
Staff Member of the Week
Student of the Week
Student of the Week: Tamiah Washington
Tamiah is a great student who participates in three sports and is a super nice kid in the hallway!
Notes from the Nurse
For our parents:
A great big THANK YOU to those guardians/parents who have gotten the state required vaccines to attend school.
Our first exclusion date has passed.
If your student still needs to get a vaccine please call and let us know the date they are getting it.
We are getting to the bottom of the list for students who are missing any vaccines.
We are meeting with each student and contacting their guardians to see what, if anything, we can do to help get these done.
If you have been contacted and need some assistance or have any questions, please call us at SMN!
Also our yearly vision screening has been moved back to December 9th.
Our community partners, The Lions’ club will be here to assist with the screening in December.
Please let me or Bella know if we can help with anything!
Stay healthy!!
Mary Alice Kelly 36916
Bella Lopez 36907
2024-2025 School Fee Info
School Fees for 2024-25 are now DUE!!
- Please use the online fee payment portal. Go to www.smsd.org, hover over the "Families " tab, and click the link entitled "Pay Fees Online".
- Add lunch money online using “Optional Fees”. Create an account or use the Guest option with the student’s ID number and last name.
- If you are interested in applying for free or reduced lunch, please use this link.
- Fees are needed for teachers to buy supplies for classes and to cover other expenses for the school year.
- The following fees are required: instructional resource fee (classroom materials), participation fee (admission home games/theatre/activity buses, etc.), ID card and course fees.
- Optional: Yearbooks are $50 until January 10, 2025 and then they go up to $65. Parking permits are available for 10th graders and up throughout the year and prorated by quarter. Literary Magazine is done by our creative writing club. Class dues and pep club are also optional but help with school parades and other activities.
- If you need to pay by check, please mail or bring your check with your student’s ID number in the memo to SM North, Attn: Bookkeeper, 7401 Johnson Dr., Overland Park, KS 66202.
- If you qualify for free or reduced lunch, email a copy of your food service benefits letter to shellelewis@smsd.org. Free lunch students receive a $105 fee waiver & reduced receive $52.50.
- For payment plans and questions, please call 913-993-6910 or email shellelewis@smsd.org. Unpaid fees may be sent to collections, so please make payment arrangements.
Shelle Lewis
SMN Bookkeeper
913-993-6910
Annual Online Verification
Parents and guardians: Each year you must go to Family Access to complete the Annual Online Verification for each of your students. Through this process you will update student and family information, become familiar with and consent to important SMSD policies, and make any necessary changes to your students' health information.
Click here to find instructions to complete these forms.
Haga cliq aqui para obtener instruccionies en Español a completar estos formularios.
If you have any questions contact:
Beth Giles
913-993-6909
Attendance
Attendance/Arrival/Dismissal
- School starts at 7:40am. Please consider having your student to the building by 7:30 to ensure they are in their first class of the day on time. Busses will drop off in the East lot while car riders need to arrive in the circle drive and get out only on the curb.
- Lunch is between 11:00 and 1:00. The only students allowed to leave campus for lunch are seniors with prior approval.
- 2:40pm is when the final bell rings. Busses will depart at 2:47pm from the East Lot. Car Riders can be picked up in the Circle Drive. 3:00pm is when students need to be settled into activities or off campus.
- Shawnee Mission North is in restricted access between 7:40 and 2:40. Anyone entering the building between these times must come through the main doors (#1) from the circle drive.
- To excuse a student between 7:40 and 2:40, please call 913-993-6945 and leave a message. Please allow 30 minutes after you call for your student to be released, and you must call prior to 2:00pm on the same day to ensure the office has time to process your request.
Attendance Reminder
“As a reminder: Please remember to contact the attendance hotline, (913) 993-6945, whenever your student is absent. Without a call, absences will be marked as unexcused, and multiple unexcused absences may lead to additional steps being taken to support your student’s attendance.
Additionally, after 10 absences, any further absences will need to be accompanied by documentation that aligns with the following reasons:
- Personal illness. (Doctor/Dental/Medical appointments) The school may, with notice to the parent, require verification from a physician of absences due to reasons of health.
- Serious illness or death of a member of the family.
- Obligatory religious observances of the student’s own faith.
- Emergency situation requiring immediate action.
- Participation in a Kansas State High School Activities Association activity, a district-approved function, or a school-sponsored activity.
If documentation is not provided, the absence will be considered unexcused.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation!”
Safety at Shawnee Mission North
- For everyone’s safety, drivers need to follow the car loop guidelines for drop off and pick up at SMN. Picture of SMN Circle Drive
- The red curb should be the only place cars stop to unload/load students.
- The middle lane should be continually moving at no more than 5mph with cell phones put away.
- The farthest lane from the building is reserved for visitor parking and SMN staff members. If you park during drop off or pickup, please make sure your student crosses at the center crosswalk to get to and from the building.
- On August 14th and August 15th, SMN completed safety drills in the areas of: Fire, Severe Weather, Lockdown, and Evacuation. Students and staff did an excellent job with these drills! While we don’t like thinking about challenging situations like these, we will be best prepared if we have thought and practiced through them if we have practiced ahead of time.
- The two most important safety rules at SMN are that we do NOT open exterior doors for anyone, and we do NOT prop open doors at school for any reason.
STUCO NEWS
Trunk or Treat is right around the corner! We hope to see you at the front circle drive at Shawnee Mission North. It will be on October 29th at 5pm and end at 7pm!:)
Here is a google form for anyone who would like to do a trunk. It's open to any group of people who want to do it (they don't have to be a formalized club). Please fill out this form by October 21st.
SMN Booster Club
Assist the SMN All-Activities Booster Club with Spirit Wear Sales - No experience necessary!
Multiple shifts are available - Click on the link below to learn more and sign-up! Friday, Oct 25 - Football Game
The October Meeting of the SMN All-Activities Booster Club will be on Monday, October 21 at 6:30pm in the Learning Commons. Come meet other members of the North community and learn about upcoming events.
You can earn $$$ for your favorite group at North by attending Booster Club meetings. We offer Attendance Grants to any SMN club, group or team that sends a parent, student, or sponsor/coach to our meetings. If your team or group has a representative attend at least 4 Booster Club meetings a year, we will give your group a $100 grant - attend 6 meetings and receive a $200 grant!
It’s SWEATER WEATHER!!
Show off your SMN pride with one of our sweatshirts, jackets, pullovers, joggers or your favorite style of hat!
Proceeds from the SMN All-Activities Booster Club spirit wear sales go back to North in the form of grants to student clubs, groups and teams
Order online 24/7 at
https://shawnee-mission-north-booster-club.square.site/
RENEW or PURCHASE your $15 SMN All-Activities Booster Club Membership for 2024-25 (receive a FREE t-shirt while supplies last)
and SHOP for North Gear 24/7 at our online store… https://shawnee-mission-north-booster-club.square.site/
PTSA
Friends of Shawnee Mission North -
Join us on Monday, October 21 at 6:30pm in the Learning Commons at North for the next meeting of the SMN All-Activities Booster Club. Come meet other members of the learn about upcoming events and share with other members of our school community.
You can earn $$$ for your favorite group at North by attending Booster Club meetings. We offer Attendance Grants to any SMN club, group or team that sends a parent, student, or sponsor/coach to our meetings. If your team or group has a representative attend at least 4 Booster Club meetings a year, we will give your group a $100 grant - attend 6 meetings and receive a $200 grant!
BE A VOLUNTEER and support the SMN All-Activities Booster Club with one of the following:
11th Annual SMN Trivia Night Planning Team
Join us for our first planning team meeting on Tuesday, Oct 15 at 6:30pm in the SMN Cafeteria. This is a joint fundraiser with the SMN PTSA.
Assist with SMN Booster Club Spirit Wear Sales - no experience necessary!
Multiple shifts are available - Click on the link below to learn more and sign-up!
Friday, Oct 25 - Football Game
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E4EAFA62FABF58-51788794-help#/
At the September Booster Club meeting, we awarded the following grants…
·$684.25 to SMN Stuco and Pep Club to purchase massive white boards and dry erase markers
·$900 to SMN Girls Golf for the purchase of 4 complete club sets
·$2,200 to SMN Girls and Boys Basketball towards the purchase of a shooting machine
·$895 to SMN Strength and Conditioning Classes for strengthening bands
·$389.64 to SMN Foods Class for the purchase of pie ingredients to bake and share pies with the community
·$1350 to SMN Volleyball to purchase backpacks
The Parent/Teacher/Student Association (PTSA) is a great way for parents and guardians to get involved with our school!
Join PTSA by clicking on this link!
After School Tutoring
If you need help in one of your classes, you are in luck!
On Mondays and Wednesdays in the Learning Commons from 2:50 to 4:20
After School Tutoring begins September 16th
Free Food- Available in the cafeteria from 2:50-3:00.
Free Bus-Buses will leave from the cafeteria doors in the front loop at 4:30. Students must have a pass from a staff member to ride the free bus.
New Information
Get Glitz'd Up for Senior Night with Everyday Beaut & Support the Football Team!
We're thrilled to welcome Everyday Beaut as a new sponsor, and guess what? 100% of the proceeds from their hair tinsel service will go directly back to our Football Booster Club!
Here's the deal:
- Show your school spirit (or pink for October!) with sparkling hair tinsel.
- Perfect for:
- Kids who love to shine! ✨
- Senior Night supporters wanting to add some flair.
- Moms (or anyone!) who want to rock the stands in style.
- Only $5 per tinsel!
- No appointment needed. Just come and take a seat! (Takes about 2 minutes to apply.)
- This is hosted by Desirae, Sophomore mom of Brayton Woods.
- Spread the word and support our team while looking fabulous!
Follow Everyday Beaut on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydaybeautkc/
Calling all chili masters! ️
The SMN Football Booster Club's 2nd Annual Chili Cook-Off is back, and we're searching for a NEW CHAMPION!
Here's the scoop:
- 10 SPOTS AVAILABLE! Anyone can enter and try to win!
- BRAGGING RIGHTS & BIG PRIZE! The winner gets a 6-month membership to Waterway Carwash (valued at $382) from our awesome sponsor!
- JUDGMENT DAY! Three esteemed judges (including Principal Ewers!) will decide your fate (or rather, your chili's fate).
- FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME! This cook-off contributes to our final tailgate dinner, raising funds for the SMN Football Booster Club.
Ready to bring the heat?
- Sign up through this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4FA8A82DAAFA7-44504277-homecoming
- Whip up your best chili creation (vegetarian options welcome!).
- Drop it off at the Legacy Patio by 4:30 PM on Friday, October 25th.
Questions? Contact Rae Greene, Vice President at vice-president@smnfootballboosterclub.org
Let's make this cook-off a touchdown!
Sweet Treats KC Senior Night Pre-Order: Mix & Match 4 for $12!
Get ready to celebrate your senior year with some delicious Sweet Treats KC! For a limited time, you can pre-order a mix of 4 of our most popular treats for just $12! That's a $4 savings compared to buying them individually.
But hurry, because the maximum number of orders per pre-sale is 5 and we've already taken orders.
Choose from these sweet treats:
- Chocolate Covered S'mores
- Marshmallow
- Milky Way
- Caramel
- Reese's Peanut Butter
- Candy Puffs
- Strawberry Crunch
- Cookies n Cream
- Cinnamon Crunch
- Fruity Crunch
- Peppermint
- Cheesecake Bites
To place your pre-order, visit our website at:https://www.smnfootballboosterclub.org/footballbisonstore/p/sweettreatspresale
Don't miss out on this amazing deal!
Provided by Sponsor Sweet Treats KC who is also Senior Mom of Andy Young. She is generously donating half of the funds back to SM North Football Booster Club. Follow her Insta at:
Yearbook Senior Ads
Picture Information
Rolland Studios
News from Student Services
Spring Schedule Change Requests:
Student Services is changing the process for schedule change requests. Please click on this link to access the Google Form where you can submit your request. All schedule change requests must be submitted through this form. Students may only submit this form once and must be logged into their SMSD Google account to access the form. The deadline to submit a request is Wednesday, December 11th at 11:59pm.
CharacterStrong’s Approach to Bullying Prevention
To help students achieve their best and make schools safe and welcoming, we need more than just anti-bullying policies. CharacterStrong uses strategies that are proven to work and focus on key social and emotional skills. In the curriculum, students will experience a blend of anti-bullying methods with other important skills like empathy, communication, and resilience. This helps schools deal with bullying better while also teaching students to understand and care for each other. This approach makes it easier for schools to embrace bullying prevention strategies and build an environment of kindness and respect.
Real World Learning News
Please follow the RWL Upcoming Events Link for a list of opportunities. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Real World Learning Counselor, Britt Sherer at BrittSherer@smsd.org
AP registration is officially in full swing! If your student is currently enrolled in any AP Class, they can earn college credit by taking the AP Exam in May. AP Exams cost $106, however, you must be registered by November 5th to avoid any late fees. Once registration closes, students will have to pay $146 per exam, so do not delay! Students need to be registered on both their College Board account and will pay their test fees through TotalRegistration.net/AP/172000 .
Once students have paid their registration and have signed up through the College Board website they are good to go! If you have questions about the AP process please do not hesitate to reach out North’s AP Coordinator - Britt Sherer - BrittSherer@smsd.org.
Bison Athletics and Activities
The North Bison Football played from whistle to whistle on Friday evening beating SM South 29-20. We play Olathe North on Friday at 7:00pm. Please note senior night is scheduled for 6:15pm.
The Lady Bison Volleyball squad dropped matches vs Olathe East at home and at SM East. North. In addition, they played in the Pembroke Hill Invite and lost their matches to Pembroke Hill, Summit Christian and SM West. They travel to SMNW on Monday evening to play in the SMSD Pink-out Event. We will play SMNW at 5pm and SMW @ 6:00pm. The final regular season game is Tuesday at 6:00pm vs Kansas City Chris Prep (senior night).
The Shawnee Mission North boys soccer team dropped two matches last week; the Boy's Varsity Soccer lost to Olathe East, 3-0 and Shawnee East, 4-0. The Bison are back in action on Tuesday vs SM West and Gardner Edgerton on Thursday (senior night).
The SMN XC team competed in the Sunflower League Championships this past weekend. For results see https://ks.milesplit.com/meets/589874-sunflower-league-2024/results
2024 marks the 45th observance of National High School Activities. Mark your calendars for the month of October. The student-athlete leadership team (S.A.L.T.) in conjunction with SM North All-School Booster club will provide a light breakfast for coaches and sponsors on Wednesday, October 9th at 7:10 am in the Learning Commons
Fall Sports
Fall Sports
If you have students inquiring about Fall Sports programs please have them contact the sport-specific coach:
Varsity Football Coach: Andy Walter
Email: andrewwalter@smsd.org
Varsity Soccer Coach: Jaime Velez
Email: jaimevelezacosta@smsd.org
Varsity Coach Girls and Boys Tennis Coach: Scott Mcdonald
Email: ScottMcdonald@smsd.org
Girls Gymnastics Coach: Sarah Hink sarahhink@smsd.org
Assistant Coach: Janice Baker, Bergen Cooper & Brooklyn Beck (@ SMNW)
Varsity Girls and Boys Golf Coach: Walter Mansfield
Email: waltermansfield@smsd.org
Varsity Girls Volleyball Coach: Gabby Royal
Email: gabrielleroyal@smsd.org
Unified Bowling (begins in mid-September) - Robyn Barreca
Email: Robynbarreca@smsd.org
Help Wanted
Previously released information, but still important to know
Click Picture to nominate a SM North Classrooms
Bison and Family,
Welcome back to the 2024-2025 School Year! As we get started, SMN Journalism would like to share an important message with all of you! Did you know that SMN Journalism has social media accounts? Our Facebook and Instagram accounts are great avenues for parents and students to connect, find information about SMN and find great photos!
Seeing these photos is also a great way to save memories, these four years go by fast!
Check out our accounts linked below or scan the QR code! Go Bison! We wish everyone luck this year and hope everyone enjoys all they can from our accounts!
Instagram Account: @smnjournalism https://www.instagram.com/smnjournalism/
Facebook Account: @Smnjournalism https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556805605266